Caffelatex KIT How-To

After having done several conversions and having provided direct or indirect assistance on plenty of Caffélatex Tubeless Kit applications, Alberto (of Effetto Mariposa) decided to put together a step-by-step photo guide, as a visual aid to the process described in the instruction leaflet.

Step 1 - Gather the Needed Items

Starting point: a tire (in this photo: Specialized S-Works The Captain 26x2.00 2Bliss), a wheel (in this photo: 2006 American Classic MTB 26), Caffélatex (in this photo: 1000 ml bottle), Caffé Tubeless Valve, Caffé Tape (in this photo: 21mm/50m), and Caffélatex Injector.

Step 2 - Prepare the Wheel

Prepare the wheel, removing the original rim-tape and cleaning the rim-bed with alcohol and a rag (a touch of sand-paper is a good idea if there's any sharp burr at the spoke-holes). Dry the rim-bed with a paper towel or microfiber towel.

Step 3 - Apply Tape & Poke Hole

Mount Caffé Tape. Start 2 inches (5 cm) from the valve hole and stop 2 inches (5 cm) after the valve hole. This will result in 4 inches (10 cm) overlap. The tape is flexible but won't stretch, so put it down while pulling hard on it: this will avoid wrinkles or air bubbles. If the tape doesn't stick well, stop and clean the rim with a paper towel or microfiber towel. The tape has a good adhesive base, if it doesn't stick there's something wrong with the rim surface. Make a round hole using a small screwdriver (the smaller the puncture for the valve hole, the easier it will be to get the good air-tightness when inserting the valve in step 5).

Step 4 - Use Tube for Perfect Tape Adhesion (optional)

This step is not required but recommended. Mount a tire with an inner-tube on the wheel and keep it at 50 psi (3 bar) for at least 1 hour. Then remove the tube. This will help ensure perfect tape adhesion and easier tire inflation.

Step 5 - Insert the Valve

Insert the valve. The smaller the puncture for the valve hole, the easier it will be to get the good air-tightness. Make sure the rubber valve base is pressed firmly against the tape. Thread the lock nut onto the valve and secure it against the rim.

Step 6 - Mount the Tire

Mount the tire. You will need a compressor and soapy water. Inflate the tire just to be sure the tire will hold pressure. This can be very easy to very difficult depending on the tire brand, model, and materials. A liberal use of soapy water and a good compressor can do wonders with inflating the tire (using soapy water on the rims and beads can lower friction and reduce the force needed to push the tire over the edge). Then deflate the tire and remove the valve core from the valve using the valve core key supplied with the valves.

Step 7 - Inject Caffélatex

Add the sealant. I take the sealant from the bottle using the Caffélatex injector, then I inject it through the valve (note that I don't use any adapter on the injector tube, it's faster). If leaving the valve core in then use the adapter.

Setp 8 - Inflate, Shake, and Roll - It's Done

Insert the valve core back into the valve. Inflate, shake, and roll: it's done. Caffélatex will seal the the porous areas in tire casing (as can be seen in the photo above). You will need to adjust the pressure a couple of times (depending on how porous the tire is). Then the system will stabilize and you'll be ready to go!